A PYMNTS Company

EU: Commission expreses Linde and Praxair antitrust concerns

By  |  June 3, 2018

According to the FT, Brussels formally outlined its antitrust concerns last week over the merger of German group Linde and Praxair of the US, which would create the world’s largest supplier of industrial gases.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The move by Europe’s competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager comes as antitrust enforcers battle to maintain competition despite increasing concentration across the continent’s industries after a four-year global merger boom.

    Ms Vestager sent a confidential statement of objectives that detailed where officials are concerned the combined group, one of Europe’s biggest tie-ups, would harm competition in Europe, said two people familiar with the case.

    The three primary markets of concern are: the bulk distribution of atmospheric gases which require special engineering capabilities to supply industrial customers such as steelmakers; the production of specialised gases; and the supply of helium as the parties and their two large rivals have secured the commercially viable sources.

    Full Content: Financial Times

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.